It was late in
the morning on a hot July day in 1993, when members of a major Western cites'
police tactical unit executed search and arrest warrants in connection with a
narcotics raid on a 'biker residence.' The tactical officers were armed with
Sig-Sauer 9mm P-226 pistols and 16-inch barreled Steyr Aug .223 caliber
carbines with optical sights. The Steyr, loaded per SOP, with twenty-eight
Federal 55-grain HP rounds was the primary entry weapon for several officers
on the team. Steyr carbines were selected for this raid, because team leaders
anticipated shots 'Out to 25 yards.'

The team was
required to knock and announce, effectively negating the element of surprise.
Approximately 92 seconds into the raid, the officer involved in the following
shooting incident was in the process of cuffing a subject when two Rottweiler
dogs attacked. While other officers were dealing with the dogs by employing OC
aerosol, a 6-foot-tall, 201 -pound subject high on 'speed,' suddenly
burst into the room occupied by the police through a locked door and leveled a
9mm pistol at one of the tactical officers. The distance between adversaries
was approximately 20 feet With his back essentially to the subject, the
involved officer acquired the threat in his peripheral vision, whirled around
and commanded. 'Police, put your hands up,' while clearing the Steyr's
safety and mounting the weapon. The subject then shifted his pistol, held by
one hand in a bladed stance, towards the reacting officer. In 'less than
a second' the subject's hostile action was countered by the officer by
firing two fast, sighted, tightly controlled pairs, for a total of four rounds
at the subject. Rounds one and two missed, but were contained by the
structure. Round three connected, penetrated and remained in the subject.
Round four grazed his upper chest and exited as he spun and fell. Round three
was quickly effective. The collapsing subject ceased all motor movement and
expired within 60 seconds. The involved officer was aware of each round fired
and simultaneously moved to cover. Tactical members were then confronted by a
female accomplice armed with a double-barreled shotgun. However, the involved
officer also successfully negotiated her surrender. All .223 rounds that
missed the subject struck parts of the buildings internal structure,
fragmented and remained inside.

When the
autopsy was performed, the forensic pathologist was amazed at the degree of
internal devastation caused by the 223 round. There was a two-inch void of
tissue in change chest with a literal 'snowstorm' of bullet fragments and
secondary bone fragments throughout the upper left chest area. The round
struck the subject I I inches below the top of his head and inflicted the
following wounds:

Penetrated the top of the
left lung, left carotid and subclavian arteries.

What is
significant about this 'instant one shot stop' was that the round did not
strike the subject at the most effective or optimum angle for penetration and
did not involve any direct contact with the heart or central nervous system.
It is doubtful that this type of terminal ballistic performance could have
been achieved by any of the police service pistol/SMG rounds currently in use.

Although this
is only one incident and could be an aberration, police tactical teams require
this type of terminal ballistic performance to enhance their safety and
survival particularly during CQB engagements, where criminals most often enjoy
a positional and action-versus-reaction time advantage.

The FBI study
clearly demonstrates the following: (1) that .223 rounds on average, penetrate
less human tissue at dose range than the hollow point pistol rounds evaluated,
(2) concern for over-penetration of the .223 round, at close range, has been
greatly exaggerated, (3) with the exception of soft ballistic garment
penetration. the .223 round appears to be relatively safer for employment in
CQB events than this hollow point pistol bullets tested.

Observations
and experience indicate that high velocity rifle buffets generally produce
more serious wounds in tissue than pistol bullets. regardless of range.

Violent
temporary cavitation, in conjunction with bullet yaw and fragmentation, are
essential wounding components for high velocity rifle projectiles.

Where soft
target penetration requirements exist and over-penetration concerns are
prevalent, police should employ hollow point bullets in this caliber.

Full metal case
or heavier soft point bullets may be more appropriate for hard target
penetration in this caliber.

The .223 and
the current carbine systems available for it are highly versatile and well
suited for urban as well as rural operations. However, because of enhanced
terminal ballistic performance. Rifles are recommended if targets are expected
to be engaged beyond 200 meters.

The ability to
train with one shoulder weapon and caliber for both CQB and open air options
simplifies logistics and training, makes training more efficient and is cost
effective.

Because of 'political' considerations; and perhaps concern over the possibility
of more serious injuries caused by errant 'friendly fire,' the
highly versatile and powerful .223 carbine may not be a suitable COB firearm
far some departments. However, if the above factors are not involved, the .223
carbine is an extremely flexible and effective antipersonnel weapon with, in
many cases, handling characteristics actually superior to many contemporary
SMGs. It offers the advantages of reduced logistics, lower costs and reduced
training time when compared to agencies employing multiple specialty weapons.
The caliber in its current offerings is far from perfect but in spite of some
shortcomings, I anticipate that in the future it will eventually replace
pistol caliber SMGs in many police departments and law enforcement agencies.